How Much Does a Deck Cost in 2026?
Building a deck is one of the most popular home improvement projects, and one of the easiest to underestimate. The decking boards are only part of the bill — framing, labor, railing, stairs, and permits often add up to more than the surface you walk on. Here’s what a deck really costs in 2026, and how to estimate yours.
The short answer
Most decks cost between $30 and $60 per square foot installed. A typical project lands somewhere between $9,000 and $20,000, with the national average around $14,000. Small ground-level platforms can come in under $5,000, while large elevated decks in premium materials run past $40,000.
You can plug your own numbers into our Deck Cost Calculator for a full breakdown, but it helps to understand what’s behind those figures.
Cost by deck size
Size is the biggest single driver. Here are typical installed ranges:
| Deck size | Square feet | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 100 sq ft | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| 12 × 12 | 144 sq ft | $5,800 – $8,600 |
| 14 × 20 | 280 sq ft | $11,200 – $16,800 |
| 20 × 20 | 400 sq ft | $16,000 – $24,000 |
Cost by material
The decking material you choose changes both the upfront price and the long-term maintenance:
- Pressure-treated pine — $3 to $6 per sq ft. The cheapest option, but it needs cleaning and resealing every one to three years.
- Cedar or redwood — $4 to $9 per sq ft. A natural look that still requires periodic staining.
- Composite (Trex, TimberTech) — $5 to $14 per sq ft. Higher upfront cost, very little maintenance, and the most popular upgrade today.
- PVC / capped polymer — $8 to $15 per sq ft. Fully synthetic and the lowest maintenance of all.
- Exotic hardwood (Ipe) — $10 to $20 per sq ft. Premium, extremely durable, and heavy enough to be harder to install.
What else drives the price
Beyond size and material, these line items add up fast:
- Labor — usually $8 to $22 per square foot, and higher for raised or second-story decks that need bigger posts and harder access.
- Railing — roughly $15 to $60 per linear foot installed, so a large perimeter adds real money.
- Stairs — figure $150 to $300 per step.
- Permits — most attached decks require one, typically $230 to $500.
- Site conditions — sloped or hard-to-dig ground raises footing and framing costs.
DIY vs. hiring a contractor
Labor is often close to half the total, so doing it yourself can cut the cost dramatically. The trade-off is time, tools, and the risk of mistakes on the structural parts (footings, ledger attachment, and framing) that affect safety. If you DIY, our calculator lets you uncheck labor to see a materials-only estimate, and the Deck Board, Footing, and Stairs calculators turn that plan into a shopping list.
How to estimate your deck
- Decide on dimensions and multiply for square footage.
- Pick a material and multiply by its per-square-foot range.
- Add framing, then labor if you’re hiring out.
- Add railing (perimeter × rate), stairs, and a permit.
- Keep a 10–15% cushion for surprises.
Or skip the math: the Deck Cost Calculator does all of this instantly and shows a line-item breakdown.
A note on accuracy
Every figure here is a planning-level estimate based on 2026 national averages. Real prices swing with your region, your contractor, the design, and current material costs. Always get a few local quotes before you commit.